Thursday, October 23, 2025

Lovelight Gleams Tour & Giveaway

About the Book

Book: Lovelight Gleams: The Christmas Lights Collection 2025

Authors: Laina Turner, Cathe Swanson, Jaycee Weaver, Chautona Havig

Genre: Christian Christmas Romance

Release Date: October 7, 2025

Being selected to enter into The Christmas Lights Showcase is an honor—and a commitment! Entrants pay a hefty fee and spend months designing and executing a Christmas display to knock all others out of the running. With only four competitors selected out of thousands of entrants, competition is stiff! Cozy up and join us as one judge, four locales, a few million lights, and more than a little Christmas romance bring it all together.

A Christmas Glow-Up by Cathe Swanson

One small town, two big dreams… and a spark that could change everything.

When determined conference center manager Gwen Smith enters a national Christmas decorating contest, she’s betting her career on turning Golden Valley into a holiday showstopper—complete with a ghost town glow-up and a Wild West reenactment. But her carefully laid plans are upended by Seth Morgan, a sharp but skeptical marketing consultant who’s just inherited a stake in the center—and isn’t afraid to challenge Gwen every step of the way.

Faith, Food, and Festive Lights by Laina Turner

Mariah Butters is determined to put her beloved Cottontail Junction on the culinary map—even if it’s just a tiny Montana town. When a Christmas lights contest offers a shot at a national ad campaign, Pearl rallies the local restaurant owners for a festive showdown that could change everything. Enter Tom Roarke—a steady, kind-hearted rancher who offers his time, his tools, and maybe even his heart. As they string lights and spark ideas, Pearl and Tom find their friendship heating up. Can they light up the town, win the contest, and discover that the best kind of love is the one that shines brightest at Christmas?

Just One More Christmas by Jaycee Weaver

Who says insta-love never lasts?

When Cole and Amy met forty-one years ago and married a month later, who could have imagined the beautiful life that would follow? This Christmas obsessed Christian couple has made it their life’s mission to spread the love of Christ and all Christmas represents to others who need it most. And this year, the lights contest that brought them together has the potential to share their love of Christmas with even more people if they can only take their Christmas décor to the next level.

The Sparkle of New Cheltenham by Chautona Havig

Her dream job just became her worst nightmare.

Kindra Hatheway walked off her graduation platform and into the perfect position with the perfect advertising company. That’s where her perfect life ended. Now one of her supervisors has put her in for a fluff job (a Christmas decorating contest? Really?) to get her out of the way. Add to that all the travel, the pressure from one of her colleagues to pick New Cheltenham as the winner, and the fact that she keeps flirting with her supervisor, and this Christmas is looking… complicated.

Click here to get your copy!

About the Author

Laina Turner: Laina Turner writes sweet, feel-good romances that always have a HEA. When she’s not writing she’s a college professor teaching business and English. Through all her career choices, she has continued to have a passion for writing stemming from childhood, where, as an only child, she developed a vivid imagination.

Cathe Swanson: Cathe writes books with creative plots and engaging characters of all ages, to glorify God and entertain and bless readers. Her heartwarming stories will make you laugh and make you cry—and then make you laugh again.

Jaycee Weaver: When New Mexico resident and USA Today bestselling author Jaycee Weaver isn’t reading or writing, she enjoys dates with her brainiac hubby, crafting, pretending she’s a nature photographer, and making her daughters cringe. She appreciates humorous books with banter, characters who overcome adversity, and guaranteed happy endings, so that’s what she writes.

Chautona Havig: Chautona Havig lives in an oxymoron, escapes into imaginary worlds that look startlingly similar to ours, and writes the stories that emerge. An irrepressible optimist, Chautona sees everything through a kaleidoscope of It’s a Wonderful Life sprinkled with fairy tales. Find her at chautona.com and say howdy—if you can remember how to spell her name.

More from Chautona

Ten years ago, Cathe Swanson and I started chatting about maybe doing a “Christmas collection” with a couple of other authors. Never did we imagine that this Christmas Lights Collection would still be going strong! Over the years we’ve had many authors as part of our collection—Sarah Monzon, Kari Trumbo, Vikki Kestell (year one!), Toni Shiloh, Teresa Tysinger, and… well, you get the gist! Lots of authors. Jaycee Weaver has been a part of the collection for… five now? Where has the time gone and all those cliches?

For the tenth annual collection, we decided to mix things up a bit. In this year’s collection, one character is going to visit all the locations in the other books for a semi-interconnected experience. The idea I for each book to stand alone as usual, but if you read them in the order they appear in the collection, your experience will be a bit like our “judge,” Kindra Hatheway.

Kindra is the “judge” (shocker, right?) for a Christmas lights & decorating contest that four towns/businesses are entering. She’s young, out of her depth, and has a lot of pressure on her for something she thinks of as a “fluff job.” Follow her from Rockland to Hawaii (or… well, that’d be spoilers), to Montana, over to New Mexico… and more!

This year’s authors bring their unique perspectives to the story. You’ll get more of Jaycee Weaver’s Sinclair family, but this time we get to see the parents’ romance unfold both in past and present. Insta-love sometimes lasts a lifetime! Cathe Swanson always brings quirky characters, humor, and all in a delightful community. Meet Pearl and Tom as Laina Turner brings faith and love into the lights of Cottontail Junction. And yep. Chautona (that’s me!) is taking you back to see the sparkle the residents of New Cheltenham has added to their town just for the contest.

In each book, you’ll find characters full of faith, hope, and of course, love. Thank you from all of the Lovelight Gleams authors. We wish you a very merry and peace-filled Christmas.

MY REVIEW

A fun collection of stories that shares Christmas traditions, unexpected relationships and the meaning of this special day. I like how each author centers their story around decorating and giving readers that holiday spirit. The characters are easy to relate to and fill the pages with faith. Within each story there are conflicts, hope and challenges.

I like how we are treated to each author’s creativity as the characters each find themselves working together in the true spirit of Christmas. The sparkling lights, ornaments, and assortment of people hoping to find the joy will delight readers. It is easy to get into the holiday spirit as each story shares a bit of romance, hope and above all bringing people together.

I received a copy of this book from Celebrate Lit. The review is my own opinion.

Blog Stops

Book Reviews From an Avid Reader, October 22

Texas Book-aholic, October 23

Vicky Sluiter, October 24

For Him and My Family, October 25

Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, October 26

Where Crisis & Christ Collide, October 27

She Lives to Read, October 28

Truth and Grace Homeschool Academy, October 29

Stories By Gina, October 30 (Author Interview)

The Mommies Reviews, October 30

Blossoms and Blessings, October 31

Simple Harvest Reads, November 1 (Author Interview)

Holly’s Book Corner, November 2

Artistic Nobody, November 3 (Author Interview)

Mary Hake, November 3

Fiction Book Lover, November 4 (Author Interview)

Giveaway

To celebrate her tour, Chautona is giving away the grand prize of a $50 Amazon Gift Card and a copy of the book!!

Be sure to comment on the blog stops for extra entries into the giveaway! Click the link below to enter.

https://promosimple.com/ps/3d282/lovelight-gleams-celebration-tour-giveaway

Tuesday, October 21, 2025

Anakus Tour & Giveaway

About the Book

Book: Anakus

Author: Stephen Phillips

Genre: Christian Fiction

Release Date: May 1, 2025

A boy torn from home. A world ruled by empire. A soul in search of redemption.

Anakus is taken from the hills of Ethiopia and thrust into the heart of a vast, brutal empire. From dusty roads to iron-clad legions, he is shaped by hardship, loss, and the long march of history.

But even in the shadow of conquest, a quiet hope endures- whispered through strangers, carried on distant winds, waiting to be found. Set against the backdrop of the ancient world, Anakus is a sweeping historical novel of identity, survival, and the unexpected power of grace.

For readers who believe that light can still rise from darkness-and that some journeys lead not just home, but to the heart of truth.

Click here to get your copy!

About the Author

I am a 41 retired U.S. Army veteran. Drawing from a life of service, resilience, and storytelling, I write with raw honesty and vivid imagination

More from Stephen

I have always been inspired by Pilgrim’s Progress’s story of the gospel and the imaginative way Bunyan wrote it. Now, by no means do I expect this book to ever be as successful as Pilgrim’s Progress, but I if one person is changed or saved through it, then to me that is a great success.

MY REVIEW

The story opens with a beautiful picture of rolling hills, a majestic sky and two young siblings playing with no care in the world. Anakus and his sister laugh as they enjoy being children with no care in the world. Their bond is very special and I could tell that Anakus was a fierce protector. His father gives him confidence when he tells him, “ you will be more than me.” Yes those words will carry Anakus as he faces an unexpected detour in his life.

When an attack on his village destroys everything, Anakus grieves for his family. Who are these people who have taken him away from everything he loved? He never said goodbye but left with heartbreak to live with everyday . The cruel reality hits when Anakus is sold to a man. What future does he have now?

Everyday Anakus (also now known as Felix) gets stronger and learns the language of his captors. Day after day Anakus had one thing on his mind. He wanted to belong not be ignored . No one allows him to speak only exist and be treated as a slave. Anakus has no idea that soon his life will take a detour. Men try to beat him down with words and punishment but Anakus cannot be changed like they want.

Learning to be a soldier is hard but Anakus never complains. He is thrust into a world where fighting is expected as he reaches Rome. I can’t fathom the many lives he had to watch be taken when villages were ransacked. No one was spared in their deliberate action. The many ventures he is on sees danger and unthinkable senseless deaths. At times the scenes are a bit graphic as the fights continue until stillness sets.

Join the author on this unforgettable journey to find a loved one who Anakus hopes to find , reestablish his identity and seek freedom. Oh how I loved when Anakus finds out about a man who heals the sick. Excitement mounts as the news is spread that , “the teacher,” is coming . His hears this man who speaks with grace and hope to all. A boy appears with five loaves and two fish. A miracle was happening before Anakus’s eyes. Yes he witnessed a miracle that day as there was enough for the thousands that came hungry.

That one moment when Anakus faces Jesus is powerful. He remembers all the harm he has caused others and questions if he could ever be forgiven. “Do you believe Anakus? The next words will never be forgotten. Hope, grace, forgiveness and redemption meet Anakus in his broken moment.

I loved traveling through the Bible and meeting the young boy who fed thousands, and run into Zacchaeus and Peter. The Bible comes alive in this emotional story. Anakus experiences the true meaning of forgiveness, unconditional love and being set free from sin.

“Belief does not remove the memory of pain or erase the scars you carry, but it redeems them.”

I received a copy of this book from Celebrate Lit. The review is my own opinion.

Blog Stops

The Lofty Pages, October 17

Inspired by Fiction, October 18

Allyson Jamison, October 19

Simple Harvest Reads, October 20 (Author Interview)

Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, October 21

Texas Book-aholic, October 22

Artistic Nobody, October 23 (Author Interview)

The Mommies Reviews, October 23

Happily Managing a Household of Boys, October 24

Blogging With Carol, October 25

Guild Master, October 26 (Author Interview)

Truth and Grace Homeschool Academy, October 27

Books Less Travelled, October 28

Fiction Book Lover, October 29 (Author Interview)

The Bookish Pilgrim, October 29

Blossoms and Blessings, October 30 (Author Interview)

Giveaway

To celebrate her tour, Stephen is giving away the grand prize of a $50 Amazon Gift Card and a copy of the book!!

Be sure to comment on the blog stops for extra entries into the giveaway! Click the link below to enter.

https://promosimple.com/ps/3cff3/anakus-celebration-tour-giveaway

Beneath False Stars Tour & Giveaway

About the Book

Book: Beneath False Stars

Author: S.D. Grimm

Genre: YA Science Fiction

Release Date: September 9, 2025

The day to open the centuries-old Dome gates and reintegrate genetically engineered people back into normal society has arrived. There’s one caveat—their powers must remain suppressed.

Amidst this Project Integration Initiative, hacker Ryleigh Stevens has her whole life planned out. The plan? Prevent a second Universal Tech War in two simple steps. First, help Project Integration Phase One succeed—but not for the reason she pretends. Next, infiltrate the rebellion and sabotage Phase Two—the part that would grant people unbridled access to their superhuman abilities.

Too bad the one person who can make her plan reality is her sworn enemy. He’s dangerous. He’s Powered. And he’s the reason her brother is dead. Faced with an impossible choice, Ryleigh must decide how to do what’s right for the good of all humanity, even if it means sacrificing everything she holds dear—again.

Click here to get your copy!

About the Author

With a name like S.D. Grimm, how could she be anything but a writer of fantasy and sci-fi with equal parts sparkle and darkle? Always the dreamer, she’s been sorted into Gryffindor, she checks wardrobes for secret worlds, and has a blue lightsaber. She is the author of several young adult titles spanning many speculative genres, and she works as a freelance editor and writing coach. Her office is anywhere she can curl up with her laptop and at least one dog.

More from S.D.

What makes a fantasy writer change lanes and enter the world of science fiction?

My story actually goes back to that famous phrase “never say never.” I have ALWAYS loved both genres equally. If the question is Star Wars or LOTR? X-Men or Harry Potter? Hunger Games or Vampire Diaries? My answer is going to be, Why not all of it? But I always said I’d never write sci-fi. The reason? I didn’t think I’d ever be able to pull it off.

That’s one of the fun things about being a writer though . . . you get these little glimmers of shiny story ideas that just won’t stop sparkling in your mind. And eventually you follow the spark, and well, the rest is history.

Beneath False Stars started like that for me. But because I still believed I’d never be able to write a good sci-fi, I’d just write it for fun. To create for creation’s sake. And it was fun! Having a project that existed as something no one would ever read gave me permission to try new things, stretch my storytelling in new and exciting ways. And after a long period of burnout, this story carried me back into the heart of why I write. It was exactly what I needed.

But that wasn’t all.

Remember, it was never my intention to actually share this book. But it became something that I was too excited about to NOT share. So I tested the waters. When several writer friends read it and told me it was their favorite of all my books to date, I knew it was something that was never meant to sit in a drawer. In a way that scared me.

So, I did what the main character in the book would have told me to do—I decided not to let my fears win. And I shared. And now it’s going to be in print! That only goes to show that when a project you’re passionate about pulls at your heartstrings for attention, listen. You don’t have to know that project’s future. Just revel in its present, and let yourself create. <3

~ S.D. Grimm

MY REVIEW

Welcome to a world where division is very evident. The author develops a place where technology has reached every facet of life. One character wants to hack into a system but danger is very near at all times. Ryleigh stood out to me because I could relate to what people call her flaws. She worries to the point of being obsessive, doesn’t trust others and cringes at criticism and let’s not forget anxiety . She wants to prove to everyone that she is fierce and can succeed at nothing. Do you relate to any of these?

I laughed at some of the references like “ancient pen” because in this world pens are obsolete. That really got my attention and it reminded me that we are not in Kansas anymore. I appreciate the author highlighting sign language in the story. Ryleigh’s brother depends on it to communicate even though it is not really used in this new world the author dropped us into. The author has taken us into a world where technology is powerful and those that are in control can be very dangerous if threatened.

When Ryleigh is able to hack into the system her and her brother race to the opening and slip in. Waiting for them is a world where transportation like slide boards are common. This reminded me of a very famous cartoon that I watched every time it came on. I wonder what it would be like to zoom around hovering above the ground. I know for sure my legs would appreciate the rest the board allows. Just think, no more walking but jetting across and feeling relaxed as you travel to your destinstion

Project Integration is now the upmost attention of Ryleigh. She is determined to get this project in place but faces the enemy along the way. I couldn’t believe how much I became engrossed in this book. With the creativity and life lessons the author captures the attention of science fiction fans.

What an exceptional story that illustrates forgiveness in a way that expresses true grace. As Ryleigh faces someone that she has never wanted to see again, the author shocks us with twists that keep readers on their toes. This is a great story with definite lessons in forgiveness, overcoming insecurity and treating each other without prejudice.

I received a copy of this book from Celebrate Lit. The review is my own opinion.

Blog Stops

Book Reviews From an Avid Reader, October 13

Artistic Nobody, October 14 (Spotlight)

Library Lady’s Kid Lit, October 15

Simple Harvest Reads, October 16 (Author Interview)

Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, October 17 (Spotlight)

Paula’s Pad of Inspiration, October 18 (Author Interview)

The Lofty Pages, October 18

Tell Tale Book Reviews, October 19

Guild Master, October 20 (Author Interview)

Wishful Endings, October 20

Texas Book-aholic, October 21

Vicky Sluiter, October 22 (Spotlight)

For Him and My Family, October 23

Fiction Book Lover, October 24 (Author Interview)

Blogging With Carol, October 25

Stories By Gina, October 26 (Author Interview)

Giveaway

To celebrate her tour, S. D. is giving away the grand prize of a $40 Amazon Gift Card and a copy of the book!!

Be sure to comment on the blog stops for extra entries into the giveaway! Click the link below to enter.

https://promosimple.com/ps/3d27d/beneath-false-stars-celebration-tour-giveaway

Sunday, October 19, 2025

Secrets of the Heart Tour & Giveaway

About the Book

Book: Secrets of the Heart

Author: Vickie McDonough

Genre: Christian Historical Fiction

Release Date: October 7, 2025

A Southern belle nursing a wounded stranger must choose between family duty and a love that defies everything she’s ever known.

Hannah Madison’s life is comfortable, well-ordered, and safe. She knows what to expect. Including her mother’s plans that Hannah marry Jamie Reed, the heir to the neighboring plantation. But her sheltered life is disrupted when she stumbles upon a seriously injured stranger in the Reeds’ barn. He seems to need her help. As she nurses him back to health, Hannah is drawn to the handsome man with amnesia that she calls Adam. And as her feelings for him grow, Hannah must decide whether to follow her heart or honor her family’s expectations.

Adam remembers nothing prior to the day he met Hannah. Nothing of his true identity or the dangerous secret he carries. All he knows is he can’t help falling for his graceful and kind caretaker. But when his memories return, he’s faced with an impossible choice— pursue his love for Hannah and betray his family, or sacrifice his own happiness to preserve his family’s unity.

Can Hannah and Adam find the right path when duty and love collide?

Click here to get your copy!

About the Author

Vickie McDonough is the CBA, EPCA and Amazon best-selling author of 54 books and novellas. Vickie grew up wanting to marry a rancher, but instead, she married a computer geek who is scared of horses. She now lives out her dreams penning romance stories about ranchers, cowboys, lawmen, and others living in the Old West. Vickie’s books have won numerous awards including the Booksellers Best, OWFI Best Fiction Novel Award, the Inspirational Readers’ Choice awards. When she’s not writing, Vickie enjoys reading, making cards, gardening, and traveling.

More from Vickie

Most of my writing career I’ve been an author of western historical fiction set in the late 1800’s, but a visit to Charleston and Savannah while on vacation, stirred up a desire to write in a different time period. I was born and raised in Oklahoma, a state that is only 118 years old. I was quickly enchanted by Charleston’s rich history and fell in love with the centuries-old homes and cobblestone streets.

While in Charleston, my husband and I toured an antebellum plantation called Drayton Hall, which was built in 1738. It’s located on the Ashley River about 15 miles northwest of Charleston. Touring the magnificent old home gave me lots of fodder for a new series set in South Carolina. For instance, did you know that ballrooms were often located on a third or fourth story because you could get better cross-breeze which made the temperature a bit cooler, and it was less likely that mosquitoes would plague the guests on the upper floors.

Secrets of the Heart is set 22 years after Mutiny of the Heart, book 1 in my Windswept Brides series. When I sat down to begin writing Secrets of the Heart, the only thing I knew for certain was that I wanted to continue the story of the Reed family. I had thought the book would be mostly Jamie’s story, who was a young boy in the first book in the series, but the story took an expected turn. I ’ve always like forbidden love stories, where the hero and heroine seemed destined to be together, but everything is working against them. I had to add that to my story.

MY REVIEW

This is a tender and sweet story that illustrates how a relationship grows slowly but following God. I sometimes don’t like stories about amnesia but this one was written with emotions that helped me care for the well being of Adam. We don’t know what secret he hides but there is definitely someone who wants to harm him.

The author gives us a peek into his life as snippets of his memory start to return. I really liked how Hannah didn’t hesitate to nurse him back to health. She has such a caring heart and never felt scared around him. As they start to develop feelings, Hannah questions her future.

I really liked the mystery that Adam faces as men are determined to find him. The author writes with creativity that makes readers become invested in finding out if Adam will remember his past. There is danger awaiting our main characters as they turn to God for direction. I was not disappointed by the ending and experiencing how God wants us to trust Him.

I received a copy of this book from Celebrate Lit. The review is my own opinion.